Nap Time Incident at Church Daycare Leads to Arrest

ByEthan Pineridge

A disturbing incident captured on surveillance video at a church daycare in Spartanburg has resulted in criminal charges against a former employee. Karon Corbin faces accusations of physically mishandling a three-year-old child during nap time at First Baptist Church Spartanburg’s daycare facility. The case has sparked conversations about supervision during challenging parts of the daycare schedule and the importance of security monitoring in childcare environments, according to FOX Carolina.

The incident, which occurred on March 31 but wasn’t reported to police until mid-April, has left many parents in the community questioning daycare safety protocols and wondering how to better ensure their children are properly cared for when not in their direct sight.

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When Nap Time Turns Problematic

Nap time, a standard part of most preschool and daycare schedules, is designed to provide young children with necessary rest while offering caregivers a brief opportunity to prepare materials or take short breaks. However, it can also be one of the most challenging times in a daycare setting, as some children may resist sleeping or struggle to stay on their designated mats.

According to the police report, it was during this typically quiet period that Corbin allegedly picked up a three-year-old by the arm and threw the child to the floor. After adjusting the child’s nap mat, Corbin reportedly lifted the toddler again and threw them face-down a second time, according to WSPA 7News.

Child development experts emphasize that while nap time resistance is common among toddlers and preschoolers, there are numerous appropriate strategies for managing such behavior. These range from providing quiet alternatives for children who don’t sleep to implementing consistent pre-nap routines that help children transition to rest time.

“Nap time can be frustrating for caregivers, especially when dealing with multiple children who have different sleep needs,” explains Dr. Maria Cantwell, a pediatric psychologist specializing in early childhood behavior management. “However, there are evidence-based approaches to handling resistance that maintain the dignity and safety of the child while still providing necessary structure.”

The alleged actions in this case represent a clear deviation from accepted practices in early childhood care and education, experts note. Physical force is never considered an appropriate response to nap time challenges or any behavior management situation in childcare settings.

Video Evidence Proves Decisive

The surveillance footage from the daycare proved critical in this case, providing objective documentation of the alleged misconduct. According to the police report, a parent filed a complaint on April 16 after viewing video of the March 31 incident, suggesting the recording was not immediately reviewed by supervisors when the incident occurred.

Upon seeing the video, the daycare director reportedly terminated Corbin’s employment and reported the incident to the South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS), as required by state regulations for licensed childcare facilities. Police were subsequently notified, leading to a criminal investigation and the eventual arrest of Corbin.

Security experts note that video surveillance has become increasingly common in childcare settings, serving both as a deterrent to misconduct and as an important tool for verifying any concerns that arise. However, the effectiveness of such systems depends on regular monitoring and proper follow-up when concerning behavior is observed.

“Video systems only work if someone is watching,” notes James Richardson, a security consultant who specializes in childcare facility safety. “The best practice is to have regular review procedures in place, not just recording that sits unwatched until a specific complaint arises.”

For parents, the incident serves as a reminder to ask detailed questions about supervision practices and security monitoring when selecting childcare providers. Many facilities now offer parents secure access to live video feeds of their children’s classrooms, though experts caution that such systems should complement rather than replace proper in-person supervision and management oversight.

Child Welfare and Legal Consequences

Police investigators reported that the three-year-old did not sustain physical injuries from the incident. However, child welfare experts emphasize that rough physical handling can cause emotional and psychological harm even when no visible injuries result.

“Young children depend entirely on adults for their sense of safety,” explains Dr. Cantwell. “When a trusted caregiver responds with aggression or excessive force, it can undermine a child’s developing sense of security and trust, potentially affecting their relationship with future caregivers and teachers.”

The charge against Corbin – unlawfully placing a child at risk of or causing harm – reflects this understanding that harm to children encompasses more than just physical injury. If convicted, she could face significant penalties under South Carolina law.

Corbin is currently being held at the Spartanburg County Detention Center without bond. The legal proceedings will determine whether her actions met the threshold for criminal conduct, distinct from the administrative finding that led to her termination from employment.

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Church Community Responds

First Baptist Church Spartanburg, a prominent religious institution in the community, has not yet released a public statement regarding the incident. The church operates the daycare as part of its ministry to families, and many parents choose such faith-based childcare options specifically because they expect higher ethical standards and values-based care.

Several parents with children enrolled at the facility expressed shock upon hearing about the allegations, with some praising the daycare’s quick response in terminating the employee while others questioned whether additional supervisory measures should be implemented.

Church-based daycares represent a significant portion of childcare options in many Southern communities. While they must meet basic health and safety standards established by state regulations, the specific training requirements for staff and the comprehensiveness of background checks can vary.

As the legal process unfolds, the case serves as a reminder of the sacred trust parents place in childcare providers and the obligation these facilities have to ensure that all staff members are properly screened, trained, and supervised to provide safe and nurturing care for vulnerable children.

It also highlights the importance of prompt reporting when concerns arise, as the two-week gap between the incident and the police report potentially allowed for evidence to be compromised or additional children to be at risk if the alleged misconduct was part of a pattern rather than an isolated incident.

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